Match Focus: Arsenal vs Tottenham

The North London derby is always a highlight of the Premier League season. Goals and cards aplenty are more than likely, and in recent years it has often been Arsenal that get the lions share of those goals. This season, though, the bitter rivals approach the meeting at the Emirates with vastly different circumstances surrounding the tie compared to previous seasons. For the first time in a good few years, Tottenham come into the game above Arsenal in the Premier League table and backed by many as having a decent chance of picking up a result.

With the Arsenal-leg of the derby on the horizon, WhoScored.com has decided to take a closer look at where this fixture was won and lost in the last 2 seasons, and where it is likely to be decided on Sunday.

2009/10 – Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham - Match Centre

Only 2 seasons have passed since this game, and it seems that only 6 of the 22 that started in 2009 stand a chance of starting this time round. Most important of those players to be available on Sunday is undoubtedly Arsenal’s talisman Robin van Persie. The Dutchman was the difference between the sides on this day, scoring 2 of his 3 shots on target, and providing an assist for Cesc Fabregas with his single key pass. Fabregas himself was also integral to Arsenal’s win, dominating the midfield dramatically. He provided 6 key passes, 2 shots (both on target) and won 1 aerial duel, each of which were more than the three-man Spurs midfield of Palacios, Jenas and Huddlestone could manage combined.

The centre of midfield was crowded that day with both teams playing with 3 in the middle. Any (little) attacking threat that the Spurs trio generally provided was easily stifled. Playing wide for Spurs that day were Robbie Keane and David Bentley and as can be seen from the position map that shows the average position in which each player touched the ball that day, those two were forced to come in field in search of the ball. Spurs struggled to create clear-cut goal scoring opportunities and were made to suffer.

Arsenal, meanwhile, prospered as a result. Their wingers that day were Bendtner on the right and Arshavin on the left. Clearly, neither played like a conventional winger, attempting just 1 cross between them. Instead, Arsenal focused their game on a narrow midfield, using quick, short passing to get through Spurs’ defence. Possession was shared pretty evenly (52% - 48%) with teams losing possession due to the crowded middle of the park, but Arsenal’s gifted midfielders used the ball more effectively and came out on top.

2010/11 – Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham - Match Centre

The following meeting at the Emirates saw Spurs come out on top in a thrilling encounter that was vastly different from the season before. Spurs fielded a completely different team, notably with Lennon and Bale on the wings, while Hutton at right-back provided more going forward than Corluka could manage the season before. Arsenal, meanwhile, were severely weakened and made to suffer by the absence of Robin van Persie.

The presence of Spurs’ wide players played a significant role in their victory. Spurs had much less possession than in the previous season, but a look at the average positions of the players that day shows a different story to the game Arsenal won 3-0. Hutton and Assou-Ekotto occupied positions high up the pitch (much like Sagna and Clichy did in the last game), while Lennon and Bale also stayed wide, forcing Arsenal, and notably Samir Nasri, to do the same.

This opened the game up, which suited Tottenham, who let Arsenal have the ball and created their chances on the counter, scoring from one and winning free-kicks which led to the other goals from counter attacks. Spurs focused 78% of their play down the flanks that day, compared to just 63% the season before and they may well hope to do the same again this year.

2011/12 – Where Will the Game be Won?

This time around, both sides will once again have new names in their ranks, with Mikel Arteta most likely to take control of the game. He averages the most passes per game in the Premier League, attempting 80.8 per game, and, with Arsenal having the most possession at home in the league this season (60.4%), he will play his part once again. Spurs average 52.4% possession away from home, and on 5 of the 6 occasions they have dropped points on the road this season, they have had less than half of the possession. Although a lack of possession did not matter last season for Spurs, they are now a team that like to keep hold of the ball and seem to be unsettled somewhat by teams who challenge this.

Meanwhile, it is wholly unsurprising that in home matches this season, Arsenal have played the third highest amount of their football through the middle of the pitch - 33% - in the Premier League. Spurs, meanwhile, focus the third least of their play through the middle, instead focusing 40% of their game (also the third most in the league) down the left flank. This is also a less than surprising discovery, with Gareth Bale in good form on the left of midfield. What is interesting is that Arsenal enjoyed success over Spurs when they were allowed to play narrowly against them, while Spurs had more joy when they managed to get the ball wide, and this may well be the case on Sunday.

While the numerous changes in personnel on both sides will undoubtedly be the main difference between years gone by and this time round, there are also tactical decisions that both managers will need to make, and previous experiences could play a part in those. Nonetheless, the North London derby is a game where anything can happen and the formbook often goes out the window, and all we can really expect, is drama, and lots of it.